It used to be a sad joke that bands who Once Were played state fairs and rodeos because there was nowhere else to play. Think of the scene in Spinal Tap when they open for a puppet show. So what’s a band to do when it can no longer morally accept shows at events where animals are mistreated?

Matchbox Twenty is about to find out as they have just dropped out of a scheduled appearance at a July 18 show at Cheyenne Frontier Days, which bills itself as the world’s biggest outdoor rodeo.

“We ask that (fans) please understand that it would be impossible for us to put ourselves in the position of making money from what we believe to be the mistreatment of animals,” according to a statement from Rob Thomas posted Saturday on the band’s Web site.

An appearance at North Dakota State Fair, which includes rodeo events, is still scheduled.